Heat exchange apparatus



May 15, 1951 F. R. BELL HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed' Aug. 21,

May 1'5, "1951 F. R. BELL 2,553,030

HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Filed Aug.Y 21, 1947 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented May 15, 1951 HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Francis Robert Bell,r Solihull, England, `assignor to The Rover Company Limited, Solihull, England Application August 21, 1947, Serial No. 769,961 In Great Britain August 28', 1946 2 Claims.

v This invention has for its object to provide improved apparatus for effecting transfer of heat from a hot to a relatively cold gas, and particularly for utilising the exhaust gas heat of an internal combustion prime mover for preheating the air required for combustion in the prime mover.

In the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings:

Figure 1 is a part sectional side View, and Figure 2 a plan (With a part broken away) of a portion of a heat exchange apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figures 3 and 4 are cross sections taken respectively on the lines 3 3 and 4 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a part sectional perspective view showing the heat exchange apparatus arranged in a duct.

In carrying the invention into eiect as shown, I build up a matrix from alternate flat and corrugated thin metal sheets a, b. The corrugations of each of the corrugated sheets b are disposed parallel with each other along the length of the sheet, and form two sets of longitudinal passages c, d respectively situated at opposite sides of the sheet. Preferably and as shown the corrugations are of concaVo-convex form having sharp or narrow ridges between them. The longitudinal and transverse margins of the corrugated sheets b are at. In addition the ridges at one side of each corrugated sheet b are formed with indentations e at positions near each end to form lateral passages f for interconnecting the set of longitudinal passages d at that side of the sheet.

The component nat and corrugated sheets a, b are assembled with metal spacing strips g between their longitudinal edges, and are united by braZing or other-wise along their margins and the contiguous portions associated with the corrugations.. The matrix thus formed provides between each pair of nat sheets a two independent sets of passages c, d.. The passages c are open at the tWo opposite ends of the matrix. The corresponding ends of the other passages d are closed, and access to these is provided by the lateral passages f and openings h in the space strips g at one side of the matrix. 'Ihe matrix is intended to be mounted in a duct i (Figure 5) through which one of the gases can flow, and which may be provided with laterally extending branches 1 for leading the other of the gases into the lateral passages f near one end of the matrix, and conducting it from the lateral passages near the other end of the matrix after it has passed through the associated longitudinal passages d.

In one mode of using an exchanger as above described for preheating, by means of the exhaust gas of an internal combustion prime mover, the air required for combustion in the prime mover, the exhaust gases are caused to flow into and out of the open ends of the passages c. The cold air is led in at the lateral passages f near one end of the matrix and, after flowing through the passages d, is discharged in a heated condition through the lateral passages near the other end of the matrix.

In the construction of an exchanger for the purpose above mentioned it is desired to be able to make the exchanger of compact form, with small passages for the hot and relatively cold gases. Also, to obtain the highest efficiency of heat exchange, it is necessary that the main passages shall be parallel with each other so as to enable the counter flow method to be employed. My invention enables both these requirements to be satised in a very simple and convenient manner.

The invention is not, however, restricted to the example described. Further the invention is not limited to the specific purpose mentioned as it may be employed in the construction of heat exchangers for other analogous uses.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A heat exchange apparatus comprising an assembly of thin metal sheets, at least the alternate sheets being corrugated substantially throughout the whole of their lengthto provide at opposite sides respectively of each such corrugated sheet, first and second sets of longitudinal uid-ow passages arranged parallel with each other, the opposite ends of the passages of one of said sets being closed, the opposite ends or" the passages of the other cf said sets being open, and the corrugations in each sheet being indented adjacent their ends to provide lateral passages, the said lateral passages communicating with the passages of the set of longitudinal passages, the opposite ends of which are closed. f

2. A heat exchange apparatus comprising a plurality of superposed alternating thin, flat and corrugated metal sheets, the corrugations of the corrugated sheets extending substantially throughout the longitudinal extent thereof and said corrugations dening together with the adjacent flat sheets first and second sets of 'j assaoe 3 longitudinal fluid flow passagways between alternate at sheets, sealing means extending along one longitudinal marginal edge of the superposed sheets, and sealing means extending between the contacting surfaces of the corrugations and alternate iiat sheets, the passageways of one set of fluid ioW passageways being open at the opposite longitudinal ends, the passageways of the other set of longitudinal passageways being closed at their opposite ends, the corrugations of each corrugated sheet being indented on the side adjacent one of the at sheets contiguous thereto at an area adjacent each opposite end of the superposed sheets to provide lateral passageways extending transversely of the sheets, the said lateral passageways being open along the opposite marginal edge of the superposed sheets and communicating With the passageways of the set of longitudinal passageways the ends of which are closed, and sealing means extending along the said opposite marginal edge between the lateral passageways and g between the opposite ends of the sheets and the 4 outer transverse end of the lateral passageway@ whereby one fluid can flow longitudinally through the passageways the ends of which are open and another fluid can enter one of said lateral passageways, pass longitudinally through the passageways of the set of passageways the ends of which are closed and pass out of the other lateral passageway.

FRANCIS ROBERT BELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,673,992 Owen June 19, 1928 2,361,691 Jendrassik Oct. 31, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 313,114 Great Britain June 6, 1929 105,971 Sweden Nov. 17, 1942 

